Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took the first dose of COVID-19 shot on Monday as the nationwide vaccination drive of persons above 60 and those over 45 with illnesses commenced.

"Happy to share that I took my first dose of COVID19 vaccine today. Grateful to our scientists, health workers for their race against time to deliver the vaccines to people," tweeted the Chief Minister. "Appeal to all eligible people to come forward and get vaccinated for a Covid Free Odisha," he added.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the first dose of Covaxin, India's homegrown coronavirus vaccine developed by biotechnology firm Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council of Medical Research, addressing the hesitancy over the COVID-19 vaccine.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar also on Monday received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Patna. 

PM Modi took the first dose of the vaccine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi. "Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS," PM Modi tweeted with his picture of receiving the shot. "Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19," the Prime Minister added.

Bharat Biotech's coronavirus vaccine Covaxin had run into a controversy after it got regulatory approval for emergency use without phase-3 trial results.

The Covid-19 vaccines- Covaxin and Covishield, will be made available to the general public from today.

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